(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – The Teamsters Union has reached an agreement in principle with United Airlines (UA) on a new contract for more than 11,000 Mechanics and related Employees nationwide, delivering a major victory after nearly two years of relentless bargaining and Member-led contract action.

The full Bargaining Committee, made up of UA Business Agents and Rank-and-Filers, voted 19-to-12 to recommend the agreement in principle to Members for ratification.

The victory secures industry-leading wage increases and clear job protections, accelerates progression to top pay from eight years to five, and delivers a $54 million signing bonus upon ratification, which will provide payments of $5,000 to each Member.

The contract breakthrough follows an aggressive campaign by the Teamsters. Throughout bargaining, the Union fought for an industry-leading agreement that reflects its Members’ critical work maintaining one of the largest airline fleets in the world and keeping millions of passengers safe.  

Teamsters President Sean O’Brien said: “For nearly two years, Teamsters at United stared down a multi-billion-dollar corporation and demanded a contract worthy of their skills and the huge profits they generate. Our Members took on one of the biggest Airlines in the world and won. This agreement will raise the bar for every Airline Worker in America. The Teamsters standard just went up again. We are proud to recommend this powerful, industry-leading contract.”

The new agreement in principle secures significant gains for Members, including: A $54 million signing bonus upon ratification; Industry-leading wage increases; An accelerated wage progression to top-of-scale pay; A two-year extension of the Retiree Bridge Medical Plan; and An expedited grievance and arbitration process.

The Teamsters represents over 1.3 million Members in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.

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